Automotive repair tool with detachable striker

ABSTRACT

An automotive repair tool for performing general automotive mechanic and body work, and specifically adapted for restoring old vehicles, and for repairing dents and chiseling off bolt heads and screws includes a ratchet extension having a first striker end and a second tool end, a striker detachably securable to the first striker end for receiving the hammer blows thereby avoiding damage and distortion to that end of the ratchet extension, and a plurality of auto body work tools interchangeably attachable to the second end of the ratchet extension with the ratchet extension coming in various lengths to accommodate different repair sites and areas on the automotive vehicle and the ratchet extension capable of being used as a standard ratchet mechanism when not utilized for auto body work and restoration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to manually operable automotive handtools, and more particularly pertains to a manually operable automotivetool having a detachable striker and interchangeable body socket tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Automotive vehicle repair and general mechanical work require a widerange of specialized tools and devices. With the increasingsophistication of automotive vehicles by the inclusion of on-boardsensors, GPS navigation systems, and electrical communication andentertainment systems, electronic monitoring and testing equipment mustnow be used in vehicle maintenance, upkeep, and repair. However, repair,maintenance, and general work on the body of automotive vehicles stillemploys a range of largely manually operable hand tools ranging fromdent pullers to putty knives. In addition, various types and sizes ofchisels and dent removers are used to remove dents from creases andcurves on the parts of the vehicle body and to shear off rusted boltsand screws. Many of the areas and surfaces to be worked on are awkwardto properly reach, and so tools having different lengths andconfigurations have been designed with each tool having the same type ofworking end, i.e., a chisel or a curved top dent remover. Moreover, muchauto body work requires the individual to strike the free end of thetool handle or shank repeatedly with a hammer, and such forciblestriking action over time damages and distorts the free end of the toolhandle or shank making it completely unusable for any other purpose.Furthermore, it is often necessary to use different types of chisels anddent removers in succession when working on a specific vehicle surfacearea or panel, and time is often lost when the individual has to stopand search through the toolbox for the appropriate tool. In suchsituations it is desirable to have a tool wherein the shank, handle, orextension can accommodate interchangeable working ends, such as thechisels and dent removers, and not have a separate tool for eachspecific use. Thus, the prior art discloses a number of tools havingvarious types of working ends for automotive and auto body repair andmaintenance.

For example, the Hart et al. patent (U.S. des. Pat. D 440,837 S)discloses various ornamental shapes and configurations for an impacttool.

The Maher et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,415) discloses a hammerdriven chopper that includes a shaft having a flat blade mounted at oneend and a slidable hammer mounted at the opposite end that slidesbetween stops when struck in order to transmit a linear force to the endwhereon the flat chopping blade is mounted.

The Liou patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,507) discloses a tool adapter thatincludes interchangeable coupling ends for receiving therein varioustool bits each of which has a differently dimensioned coupling head.

The Burrola patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,323) discloses a multi-purposeimpact hand tool kit that includes a shaft having a hammer impact end,an adapter end to which various tools are mounted, and a handgrip tohold the tool when being struck.

The Deutschenbauer et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,083) discloses atool holder for drilling and chiseling tools that includes a receivingsleeve having a conically-shaped internal bore for receiving the shankof the drilling or chiseling tool.

The Chung patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,980) discloses an auto-hammerdriver that includes a body, a removable socket member, a rotary memberinterconnecting the body to the socket member, and an impact memberslidably received on the body.

The Su patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,709) discloses an impact screwdriverthat includes a tubular handle, an impact rod slidably mounted on thehandle, and a driving rod mounted on top of the impact rod.

Nonetheless, despite the ingenuity of the above devices, there remains aneed for an easy-to-use automotive hand tool that includes variousinterchangeable body sockets and a detachable striker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprehends an automotive repair tool having adetachable striker for use in auto body repair work, and specifically byindividuals that specialize in restoring old cars and trucks. Theautomotive repair tool is ideally useful for repairing dents in motorvehicle bodies, surfaces, and panels, for repairing other metal items,for chiseling off rusted bolt heads and screws, and for generalautomotive mechanic work and body work.

The automotive repair tool of the present invention includes a ratchetextension that includes a shank or elongated member, a first end and anopposite second end. The first end includes a socket extending into thebody of the shank, and the second end includes a socket attachmentmember. The ratchet extension can come in various lengths to accommodatethe numerous work situations that are encountered in auto body repairand renovation.

Detachably securable to the first end is a striker, and the strikerincludes a hexagonal-shaped striker head and a stem axially extendingfrom the striker head. The stem includes locking nubbins that engage thesocket, and lock the striker onto the ratchet extension. The strikerhead receives the hammer blows instead of the first end of the ratchetextension. Attachable to the second end of the ratchet extension are avariety of auto body work tools such as variously sized chisels andcurved top dent removers. Each type of work tool is integrally attachedto a socket body. Thus, the length of the tool can be changed simply byselecting a ratchet extension of a specific length, while the particularfunction of the tool can be varied by interchanging the various autobody work tools onto the socket attachment member at the second end ofthe ratchet extension. The ratchet extension can also be used by itselfas part of a ratchet mechanism.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an automotiverepair tool with a detachable striker that includes a variety of worktools with integral socket bodies having various shapes and sizes eachof which is designed for a specific purpose.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide anautomotive repair tool with a detachable striker that includes ratchetextensions of different lengths and dimensions.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide anautomotive repair tool with a detachable striker wherein the strikerreceives the hammer blows and not the end of the ratchet extension.

It is still yet another objective of the present invention to provide anautomotive repair tool with a detachable striker wherein the length ofthe repair tool is adjustable simply by interchanging the differentratchet extensions.

It is still yet a further objective of the present invention to providean automotive repair tool with a detachable striker wherein money issaved by eliminating the need to purchase the same automotive repairtool but in different lengths.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide anautomotive repair tool with a detachable striker wherein the strikerreceives the hammer blows and thus obviates the damage and distortion tothe end of the ratchet extension that would thereby render the end ofthe ratchet extension unusable.

Still yet another objective of the present invention is to provide anautomotive repair tool with a detachable striker that saves space in thetoolbox by having interchangeable differently sized ratchet extensionsand interchangeable work tools detachably securable to the ratchetextension.

Still yet a further objective of the present invention is to provide anautomotive repair tool with a detachable striker wherein the variouscomponents of the automotive repair tool are manufactured from hardenedsteel to provide for durability and longevity of use.

These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the following detaileddescription read in conjunction with the accompany drawing figures andappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating the attachmentof the striker to one end of the ratchet extension and an auto body worktool in the form of a large chisel attached to the other end of theratchet extension;

FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating the manner ofattachment of the striker and the particular auto body work tool to therespective ends of the ratchet extension;

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating the ratchetextension having a large size length;

FIG. 3 b is a perspective view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating the ratchetextension having an intermediate size length;

FIG. 3 c is a perspective view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating the ratchetextension having a smaller size length;

FIG. 3 d is a perspective view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating the ratchetextension having a smallest size length;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating one type ofauto body work tool in the form of a small chisel;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating the auto bodywork tool first shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating the auto bodywork tool first shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating an auto bodywork tool in the form of a medium-sized chisel;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating the auto bodywork tool first shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating the auto bodywork tool first shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating an auto bodywork tool in the form of a large chisel;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating the auto bodywork tool first shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating the auto bodywork tool first shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is perspective view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating an auto bodywork tool in the form of a large curve top tool;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating the auto bodywork tool first shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating the auto bodywork tool first shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker of the present invention illustrating an auto bodywork tool referred to as a small round;

FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker illustrating the auto body work tool first shown inFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker illustrating the auto body work tool first shown inFIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker illustrating an auto body work tool referred to as alarge round;

FIG. 20 is a front elevational view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker illustrating the auto body work tool first shown inFIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a bottom plan view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker illustrating the auto body work tool first shown inFIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker illustrating the striker that is detachablyattachable to one end of the ratchet extension;

FIG. 23 is s front elevational view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker illustrating the features of the striker includingthe striker head and the striker stem; and

FIG. 24 is a bottom plan view of the automotive repair tool withdetachable striker illustrating the striker stem and locking nubbins onthe end of the striker stem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-24 is an automotive repair tool 10 for use ingeneral automotive mechanic and body work, and which is morespecifically used in repairing, renovating, and restoring old automotivevehicles such as cars and trucks. The present invention is specificallyused for repairing dents in the surfaces and panels of motor vehiclebodies or other metal items and includes interchangeable work tools forchiseling off rusted bolt heads and screws. Moreover, the presentinvention can be used as part of a standard ratchet mechanism when notbeing used in auto body work and repair.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1-24, the automotive repair tool 10 includes aratchet extension 12 having a first striker end 14 and an oppositesecond tool attachment end 16. The ratchet extension 12 also includes agenerally cylindrical shank 18 from which the first end 14 and thesecond end 16 are integrally formed. The shank 18 further defines alongitudinal axis 20 extending therethrough, and formed on the firststriker end 14 is a socket 22 that extends a slight distance into theshank 18 while projecting from the second end 16 is a square-shapedsocket attachment member 24. The socket attachment member 24 includessemi-circular locking balls 26 protruding from each of the four surfacesthat comprise the socket attachment member 24. The socket 22 and thesocket attachment member 24 are coaxially aligned with the longitudinalaxis 20 of the shank 18.

As shown in FIGS. 3 a-3 d, the ratchet extension 12 can come in variouslengths for accommodating a variety of work situations and conditions.Thus, when working in a very small area or on a very small section ofpanel, the ratchet extension 28 having the length shown in FIG. 3 d maybe most useful while the ratchet extension 30 having the length shown inFIG. 3 a may be most useful when working on large unobstructed surfaceareas or panels. FIGS. 3 b and 3 c illustrate ratchet extensions 32 and34 of intermediate length.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 23, and 24, the automotive repair tool 10includes a striker 36 that is manually struck by a hammer as part of theprocess of auto body repair and renovation. The striker 36 is detachablysecurable to the first striker end 14 of the ratchet extension 12, andmore specifically to the socket 22 formed at the first striker end 14.The striker 36 includes a hexagonal-shaped striker head 38 having anupper slightly curved or cambered striker surface 40 and a stem 42centrally located on the underside 43 of the striker head 38 andprojecting opposite of the upper cambered striker surface 40. The stem42 is square-shaped and includes four locking nubbins 44 with onelocking nubbin 44 partially extending or projecting past each flatsurface that comprises the stem 42. The locking nubbins 44 seat withincorresponding pockets (not shown) of the socket 22 when the stem 42 isinserted into the socket 22 at the first end 14 of the ratchet extension12.

Removably attachable to the second tool end 16 of the ratchet extension12 are a plurality of auto body work tools each of which is designed fora specific function and purpose. A wide range of auto body work toolsare used in auto body restoration, a sample of which are shown in FIGS.4-21, and which are all interchangeably attachable to, and detachablefrom, the second end 16 of the ratchet extension 12.

Thus, FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an auto body work tool in the form of asmall-sized chisel 46. The small chisel 46 is preferably 3 and ¼ inchestall, has a blade 48 that is at least ⅜ inches wide and includes aplurality of square, sharp edges. The small chisel 46 is used forshearing off rusted bolts and screws that may protrude out from a panelsurface or that are used to secure various panel portions together.

Illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 is an auto body work tool in the form of amedium-sized chisel 50. The medium chisel 50 is 3 and ¼ inches tall, hasa blade 52 that is at least ⅝ of an inch wide, and also includes aplurality of square, sharp edges. The medium chisel 50 is used forshearing off rusted bolts and screws similar to the use for the smallchisel of FIGS. 4-6.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate an auto body work tool in the form of a largechisel 54. The large chisel 54 is at least 5 inches tall and 2 and ¾inches wide, and has a continuous curved dull edge 56 and roundedcorners. The large chisel 54 is used to remove dents out of creases inareas or portions of the auto body exterior that have been bent,deformed, and damaged.

FIGS. 13-15 illustrate an auto body work tool in the form of a largecurve top tool 58 that is used for removing dents on curved objects suchas metal panels and fenders. The large curve top tool 58 is at least 3and ¼ inches tall and has a width of at least ¾ of an inch. The largecurve top tool 58 is hexagonal-shaped and has a slightly arched orcurved top or working end 60.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate an auto body work tool in the form of a smallround tool 62, and FIGS. 19-21 illustrate an auto body work tool in theform of a large round tool 64. All of the aforementioned auto body worktools 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, and 64 include an interior socket cavity 66,as shown in FIGS. 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21, with the socket cavities 66being sized at either ⅜ of an inch, ½ of an inch, or ¾ of an inch to fitonto the correspondingly dimensioned socket attachment member 24 of theratchet extension 12 and 28-34 as shown in FIGS. 2-3 d.

It should also be noted that any length of the ratchet extensions 12, asshown in FIGS. 3 a-3 d, can be used as part of a standard ratchetmechanism with the ratchet mechanism attached to the socket 22 at thefirst end 14 of the ratchet extension 12, and the desired socket mountedto the socket attachment member 24 at the second end 16 of the ratchetextension.

With several preferred embodiments of this invention thus explained, itis apparent that numerous modifications, alterations, and variations arepossible and practicable to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention, and that it is intended thatthis invention be limited only as indicated in the appended claims.

1. An automotive repair tool for performing auto body work on anautomotive vehicle, comprising: a ratchet extension having a firststriker end, an elongated shank and a second tool attachment end; theshank further defining a longitudinal axis that extends through theshank from the first striker end to the second tool attachment end; thefirst striker end having a socket; a socket attachment member mounted tothe second tool attachment end and projecting therefrom; the socket andthe socket attachment member being in coaxial alignment with thelongitudinal axis; a striker detachably securable to the first strikerend of the ratchet extension; the striker including a striker headhaving an upper cambered striker surface and an opposite underside; astem mounted to the underside of the striker head and capable ofremovable insertion within the socket at the first striker end; and anauto body work tool removably securable to the second tool attachmentend of the ratchet extension for performing auto body repair work on theautomotive vehicle.
 2. The automotive repair tool of claim 1 wherein thestriker head has a hexagonal-shaped configuration.
 3. The automotiverepair tool of claim 2 wherein the ratchet extension can come in variouslengths.
 4. The automotive repair tool of claim 3 wherein the ratchetextension can be used with a ratchet mechanism.
 5. The automotive repairtool of claim 4 wherein the striker head of the striker is adapted toreceive the blows from a hammer instead of the first striker end of theratchet extension when the striker is secured to the first striker endof the ratchet extension.